Martin Luther King, Jr Week: features seven days of religious services, concerts, performances and educational events as a tribute to the black rights activist and politician.

Black History Month: promotes African-American history and heritage during this month-long event, with various events in venues throughout Atlanta.

Southeastern Flower Show: is Georgia’s biggest horticultural event featuring speakers from around the country, as well as plenty of useful merchandise and beautiful floral exhibitions.

St Patrick's Day: is celebrated in Atlanta on March 17^th. A giant parade passes through central Atlanta and there are also plenty of Irish-themed exhibits and lots of Guinness drinking.

Conyers Cherry Blossom Festival: is staged at Conyers International Horse Park just outside Atlanta. The event lasts for one month and features many activities, including a road race, beauty pageant and live music.

Georgia Renaissance Festival: goes on for about six weeks from the middle of April to early June to celebrate life in medieval England. Activities abound with plenty of juggling and acrobatics, as well as a huge handicrafts market.

Notoberfest Beer Festival: includes real beer drinking from Sweetwater Brewing and the East Atlanta Village. Over 100 beers are showcased, many of which are on-tap and many from countries the world over.

Atlanta Jazz Festival: is held at some highly revered venues throughout the city, including the Centennial Olympic Park, Churchill Grounds, Piedmont Park and Underground Atlanta. Visitors arrive in their tens of thousands to hear the sounds of some of the world’s foremost jazz musicians, both past and present.

Music Midtown Festival: is another popular Atlanta music festival which also features jazz, as well as rock, blues and alternative music genres. Renowned musicians from all over the world play here.

Atlanta Film Festival: witnesses a plethora of film directors, both mainstream and independent, at this nine-day event where movies are screened across the city.

Independence Day: in Atlanta includes a colourful parade on Peachtree Street, along with lots of food and drink and a dazzling fireworks display.

Black Arts Festival: features black music, literature, art and film for 10 days with 1,000 artists from Africa, the Americas, Europe and the Caribbean.

Peachtree Latino Festival: mimics other Latin festivals around the world with plenty of Latino-related activities, such as a costumed parade, live music, international performances, arts and crafts exhibits and lots of food.

Atlanta Greek Festival: gives the Atlanta Greek community a taste of home and also provides the chance for visitors to see Greek culture at its best. Expect lots of Greek specialities, such as souvlaki, mousaka and baklava, as well as live music and Greek dancing.

Scottish Festival and Highland Games: commemorates Scottish heritage and culture through traditional Scottish activities, parades, folk dancing and lots of bagpipe playing. The event is held at the Stone Mountain Park, just outside town.

Harvest Moon Bluesfest: is the number one blues festival in Atlanta featuring local, regional and national blues artists play out at the Gwinnett County Fairgrounds over three days. There is also a great spread of food and drink.

The Annual Pow Wow and Indian Festival: gives visitors a look at Native American culture with lots of hide scraping, flint napping and pottery making at a tipi village. You can also see different Indian tribes competing in traditional dancing competitions.

Peach Bowl Parade: is another popular event held on charming Peachtree Street, with elaborate floats, dozens of bands and some classic cars. From Peachtree Street the parade continues onto the Georgia World Congress Center.

FirstNight Atlanta New Year's Eve Festival: is held on New Year’s Eve, celebrating the passing of the year with a huge party and a great many fireworks, as well as live music and performances.